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Setting their sights on the future, Leeds United are now reportedly set to beat rivals Manchester United to the arrival of a young gem who has already impressed at Thorp Arch.

Leeds transfer news

With the January transfer window right around the corner, those at Elland Road have reason for cautious optimism on the promotion front given that they sit just three points adrift of Championship leaders Sheffield United. That said, Daniel Farke will no doubt hope to see his side get back to winning ways against Oxford United next weekend after being forced to rescue a late point against Preston North End last time out.

It was another game in which Illan Meslier struggled in the spotlight, fumbling Brad Potts’ opening goal into the back of the net in another moment to forget for the Leeds shot-stopper. With every mistake, the question marks continue to grow over whether he is the man for the job at Elland Road – question marks that look destined to end in a damning answer.

The Yorkshire club are seemingly already thinking about the future of their goalkeeping department too. According to The Sun, relayed by MOT Leeds, Leeds are now set to sign Robbie Cook ahead of Manchester United after the young goalkeeper impressed on trial at Thorp Arch.

Whilst the Red Devils failed to move ahead in talks to sign the young goalkeeper, Leeds are reportedly ready to welcome Cook with open arms in the hope that he’s ready to one day become Farke’s undisputed number one.

Tottenham eyeing Archie Gray repeat to sign "crucial" Leeds United star

Another potential blow…

1 ByTom Cunningham Dec 15, 2024

Still just 17 years old, the Perth Glory gem is likely to make an impact in Leeds’ youth sides, before eventually breaking into the senior side as a player ready to compete for a place with Meslier.

Cook can eventually end Leeds' Meslier problem

If Leeds achieve promotion in the current campaign, then they must think about replacing Meslier. The 24-year-old was guilty of throwing points away against Sunderland earlier this season and was once again among those at fault for Preston’s opening goal this weekend. It is the type of unreliability that ends in Premier League relegation in what would be a nightmare scenario for the Whites should they go up this season.

If Leeds remain patient, however, then Cook could end their Meslier woes for years to come. At 17 years old, the goalkeeper’s best years are yet to come, which could see Leeds’ reported early swoop become an act of genius when he is ready for a starting role in the coming years.

Cook’s rise could undoubtedly spark plenty of regret at Manchester United, who reportedly failed to push ahead and secure his signature. Those at Elland Road, meanwhile, could reap the ultimate rewards if he reaches an ever-increasing potential whilst swapping Perth for Leeds, making him one to watch over the coming years.

Chelsea have reportedly turned a £128 million profit and complied with profit and sustainability rules after selling the women's team to themselves.

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Chelsea sell women's team to themselvesBlues turn a £128m pre-tax profitComplying with Premier League's PSR rulesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

On Monday, Chelsea announced they had made a pre-tax profit of £128.4m ($165.8m) for the financial year ending June 30, 2024, after the 'repositioning of Chelsea Football Club Women Ltd'. The Guardian states that has seen them avoid a breach of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

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Chelsea sold their women's team to parent company BlueCo 22 Midco Ltd last year, and it is believed they are valued at upwards of £150m ($193.7m), which may have been the difference in the Blues not breaking any rules. However, The Times states they are likely to be in breach of UEFA's financial rules Europe's governing body does not allow clubs to register income from selling assets to sister companies.

DID YOU KNOW?

Chelsea added that overall revenue in the year fell to £468.5m ($605m) due to the men's team not competing in the Champions League. However, the growth in commercial revenue to £225.3m ($291m) was fueled by an 'increase in player loan income and strong sales of non-matchday activities, including stadium tours and merchandise sales'.

AFPWHAT NEXT?

Many football fans will be keeping a watchful eye on when Chelsea release their full accounts for 2023/24 as this statement from the club doesn't show the whole picture. The Blues may have complied with Premier League rules but will have to wait and see if UEFA decide to take any action.

Lancashire chase derailed in gutsy final over from Scrimshaw despite David’s 42 not out

ECB Reporters Network24-Jun-2022George Scrimshaw bowled a superb final over to give Derbyshire Falcons a five run victory over Lancashire Lightning in the Vitality Blast game at Derby.The fast bowler had gone for 48 from his first three overs but conceded only five off his last as the North Group leaders came up short on 183 for 5, chasing 189.Tim David smashed an unbeaten 42 off 23 balls but could only watch from the other end as Scrimshaw kept the Falcons quarter-final hopes alive.Shan Masood with 75 from 50 balls and Wayne Madsen, 70 off 30, drove the Falcons to 188 for 8 but Steven Croft’s 47 from 29 balls put the Lightning on course until Scrimshaw had the final word.After the Lightning elected to bowl, the Falcons were restricted to 44 from the powerplay for the loss of Luis Reece who sent a return catch to Tom Hartley off the fifth ball of the innings.The ball crossed the ropes only four times during the first six overs, four of those overthrows, and Hayden Kerr’s attempt to break the shackles two overs later ended in the hands of cover.That brought together Madsen and Masood who accelerated with a mixture of orthodoxy and improvisation.Masood lofted Luke Wells down the ground before Madsen scooped Tom Hartley over the wicketkeeper for four and then drove the left-armer to the cover boundary.Masood hammered Danny Lamb back over his head for four on his way to his fifth 50 of the competition, a record for Derbyshire, and Madsen powered to his half-century off only 23 balls.He pulled Wells over midwicket for the first six of the innings as 19 came from the 14th over and Masood tore into Lamb in the 16th, driving and pulling the seamer for two sixes before lifting a full toss to mid off.But Madsen was striking the ball with power and precision, taking 18 off four balls from Richard Gleeson before he was lbw to the next.The pair had plundered 64 from four overs but the Lightning recovered well with Luke Wood and Gleeson conceding only 20 from the last three overs.Even so, it left the Lightning with a tough chase and they lost Phil Salt in the third over when he was superbly caught by Leus du Plooy diving at deep square leg.Wells pulled Mark Watt for two sixes in the next over and Croft dispatched Scrimshaw for another six with 19 coming off the fifth.The powerplay ended with the Lightning 64 for 1 and Scrimshaw came in for more punishment in his second over with Croft pulling him for six before Wells called for a new bat and promptly struck two fours.Croft was dropped on 33 at short fine leg off Alex Hughes but du Plooy took another good catch to remove Wells who pulled the off-spinner to deep midwicket.The Lightning needed 91 off 10 overs but the Falcons were stemming the run flow and Dane Vilas was caught behind cutting Matt McKiernan in the 12th over.Croft launched Hughes over long on for six but was brilliantly caught at backward point off Watt in the 14th over.David responded by pulling and driving McKiernan for two sixes and another six off Scrimshaw left the Lightning needing 33 off 24 balls.Kerr and Watt conceded only 10 off the next two overs and although Rob Jones pulled Kerr for four, the Lightning needed 11 off six balls.Scrimshaw delivered when it mattered, trapping Jones lbw with his fifth ball before Lamb missed a wild swing at the last to end another T20 thriller.

Arsenal scouts are now obsessed with a “fantastic” young midfielder after his impressive performances this season, according to a report.

Arsenal still within reach of Liverpool

Although Liverpool are showing no signs of slowing down in their pursuit of the Premier League title, securing a 5-0 victory at West Ham United yesterday, a nine-point gap is by no means insurmountable for Arsenal in the second half of the season.

However, Mikel Arteta may have to bring in some reinforcements this winter in order to give his side the best possible chance of catching Arne Slot’s men, and the manager is believed to be keen on signing a new striker.

Randal Kolo Muani is on Arteta’s list of targets, with the Frenchman’s future at Paris Saint-Germain still uncertain, while a move for Galatasaray loanee Victor Osimhen is also being plotted, although a deal will not come cheap, with a £66m fee being touted.

Signing a new striker appears to be a priority for the Gunners, given the number of targets that have been identified, but Arteta still continues to cast his eye on players in other positions, who could make a more long-term contribution to the club.

Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Brentford (a)

January 1st

Brighton (a)

January 4th

Tottenham Hotspur (h)

January 15th

Aston Villa (h)

January 18th

Wolverhampton Wanderers (a)

January 25th

One such player is Ayyoub Bouaddi, with Arsenal scouts said to be wowed by the Lille midfielder and ‘enamoured’ with his talent, having put in some very impressive performances so far this season. There may be stiff competition for Bouaddi’s signature, however, as he is on the radar of a number of top European clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

In 2023, the youngster broke a record by becoming the youngest player ever to play in a European club competition game, making his debut at 16 years and 3 days old. As the starlet does not turn 18 until October, a move to England is not possible in January, but he could leave Lille at the end of the season.

Arsenal hold talks for "magnificent" £40,000-a-week ace to replace Tierney

The Gunners are eyeing a potential bargain next summer.

ByBen Browning Dec 30, 2024 One for the future

The young Frenchman has added to his Champions League experience this season, making five appearances in the competition, no mean feat considering he is still just 17 years old. Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has given an overview of the maestro’s abilities, saying he is a “midfield controller”, while also likening him to Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan and describing him as “fantastic”.

Bouaddi is very much one for the future and it will be interesting to see whether Arsenal make a move for him at the end of the season, but Arteta’s more pressing concern will be strengthening his squad this January. With Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka now out injured, Arteta may have to strengthen his attacking options heading into the second half of the season, if his side are to have any chance of catching Liverpool.

The last few days haven’t been particularly enjoyable for the Arsenal faithful.

Mikel Arteta’s side dropped more points in the Premier League thanks to a 1-1 draw away to Brighton & Hove Albion and then lost the first leg of their League Cup semi-final against Newcastle United 2-0 at home.

Both games made it abundantly clear that the Gunners are in desperate need of some attacking reinforcements this year, and one of the forwards they have been consistently linked with over the last six months is Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.

However, while that may be unlikely given his mammoth release clause, the North Londoners have been linked with another young striker this week who has been compared to the free-scoring Swede.

Arsenal target up-and-coming striker

According to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal are one of several teams interested in Sporting CP’s young striker, Conrad Harder.

Alongside the Gunners, Bailey has revealed that fellow Premier League sides Chelsea and West Ham United are just some of the other teams keen on bringing the promising poacher to England as soon as this month, despite only joining the Lisbon outfit in the summer.

Interestingly, despite there being a release clause worth €80m – £67m – in his contract, the report has revealed that it would take an offer of around €50m, which is about £42m, to tempt the Portuguese giants into selling.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given how well Harder has been playing this season and the comparisons to Gyokeres, it’s one worth fighting for.

How Harder compares to Gyokeres

Now, the first thing to clear up is that, as Harder is still just 19 years old and in his first campaign with Sporting, it would be unjust to expect him to match Gyokeres’ frankly absurd level of output over the course of the full season.

However, the young Dane certainly isn’t goal-shy and has already racked up a reasonably impressive haul of seven goals and three assists in 22 first-team appearances for the club.

Moreover, what makes that already great rate of return even more impressive is the fact that he’s achieved it in just 718 minutes, which works out to an average of a goal involvement every 71.8 minutes.

Appearances

22

29

Minutes

718′

2480′

Goals

7

31

Assists

3

6

Goal Involvements per Match

0.45

1.27

Minutes per Goal Involvement

71.8′

67′

For context, the former Coventry City star has racked up a haul of 31 goals and six assists in 2480 minutes of first-team action, equating to a slightly better average of a goal involvement every 67 minutes.

With that said, what are the other similarities between the two Scandinavian strikers, aside from their outstanding ability in front of goal that is.

Well, according to respected analyst Ben Mattinson, who actually described the teenager as “very similar” to the Stockholm-born star, the pair share “running power, physicality and powerful ball-striking.”

However, he does preface that, as things stand, the youngster is “much more one-footed,” although, given his current rate of output as an understudy, that does not seem to be a massive problem.

Ultimately, while Arsenal fans would understandably rather their club went out and splashed the big bucks on the utterly sublime Gyokeres this year, that seems increasingly unlikely.

Therefore, if Arteta and Co want to continue future-proofing the squad and sign a very similar player to the Swede for millions less, then securing Harder’s services could be the right move – so long as someone else doesn’t beat them to it.

David Ornstein: Arsenal targeting the new Odegaard with "elite potential"

The exceptional talent could be a sensational signing for Arsenal.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 9, 2025

The series next February could yet be vital in the World Test Championship

AAP04-Jul-2022Australia’s coaches have turned an eye to next year’s tour of India as they prepare for the possibility of pulling off a rare hat-trick on the subcontinent.Andrew McDonald’s men were set to return to training on Monday after two days off, as they begin to ramp up preparations for Friday’s second Test against Sri Lanka.A win or draw in Galle will secure a second straight series win in Asia, after breaking an 11-year drought with victory in Pakistan earlier this year. But they are also aware a bigger challenge awaits next February.Australia have not won in India since 2004, while victory there would mark just the third time in the team’s history they have won three straight series in Asia. None of those streaks have come inside the space of 12 months.There will also be greater implications, with the series the last played before the World Test Championship final and Australia well clear in first with India third.Related

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Adaptable Australia make further strides on subcontinent mission

It’s why Australia are more than happy with their busy Asian schedule this year, offering up a greater chance to plan for how to best combat the conditions.Pakistan served up flatter wickets than those traditionally expected in Asia, with Rawalpindi a batter’s paradise and Karachi and Lahore only breaking up later. Galle meanwhile was a raging turner for the first Test against Sri Lanka, with some Australians describing it as the toughest they have batted on.In India, Australia expect a mixture of the two scenarios and anything in between during the four-Test series.”In a lot of ways it’s been nice to have a subcontinent tour of Pakistan, then here [in Sri Lanka] and build towards India,” assistant coach Daniel Vettori said. “Conditions will be very different. We will get a lot of variation from venue to venue.”You could get anything in between [the pitches in Pakistan and Sri Lanka]. If you play at Mohali it is going to be flat, if you play at Wankhede [in Mumbai] it could turn square like here. You can’t just have one plan.”Australia’s batters have made a point to meet the tempo of the match on both recent tours, playing the long game in Pakistan before upping the scoring rate in Galle. But regardless of the tempo, they want to use their crease and be busy enough to unsettle the spinners.A new-found willingness to sweep more is also key. Some 45.7 percent of Australia’s boundaries in the first Test were either swept or reverse-swept, compared to 20.8 per cent in their 3-0 loss in Sri Lanka in 2016.”In a lot of ways sweeps can be blocks over here,” Vettori said. “There have been plans for individuals to use whatever they feel comfortable with, and to be as proactive and brave as they could with it.”The guys who do sweep very well tried to emphasise that as much as possible. Alex Carey, I think his first 12 scoring shots were sweeps.”

Liverpool fans have told Trent Alexander-Arnold to choose between being a "mate or traitor" amid talk of an impending Real Madrid transfer.

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Alexander-Arnold is a local ladExpected to leave Merseyside for Real MadridFan emotions are at an all-time highFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Real Madrid’s interest in Alexander-Arnold is nothing new. The Spanish giants first registered their interest in the England international last year, and in January, they reportedly submitted an offer to secure his services. However, Liverpool turned down the bid, keeping their academy graduate at Anfield – for now. With his current contract set to expire at the end of the season, Madrid could sign him for free in the summer.

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Alexander-Arnold is a local lad and has been vocal about his love for the club throughout his career. However, with reports of his impending exit gaining traction, many fans now feel let down by his apparent change of heart.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

In response, some fans have taken matters into their own hands, sending strong messages to the player. Banners spotted near Anfield featured statements such as "Loyalty or Lolly, Take Ya Pick, Trent" and "Mate or Traitor, Take Ya Pick, Trent", reflecting the frustration and disappointment among sections of the Liverpool faithful.

DID YOU KNOW?

Should Alexander-Arnold opt to join Real Madrid, he would be in line for a substantial financial boost. Reports indicate that the Spanish club is ready to offer him an annual salary of €15 million (£13m/$16m), a significant increase from his current earnings at Liverpool. Additionally, he would receive lucrative performance-related bonuses and a signing-on fee as part of the deal.

Davis opened up about his “lonely” experience but said a move to Auckland in the late 1990s helped

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Aug-2022Former New Zealand fast bowler Heath Davis has come out as gay. He is the first male international cricketer from his country to do so.In a documentary series for called “Scratched: Aotearoa’s Lost Sporting Legends”, Davis opened up about his sexuality and the “lonely” experience of living separate lives on and off the field until he moved from Wellington to Auckland.”The first tour to England [in 1994], I was starting to discover myself, was going to a few bars and things privately to see what life was… well, you are on the other side of the world, no one is going to know you,” he said. “I left that part of my life there. There was a lot of that, just keeping your personal life separate.”It was lonely. Going to saunas and seedy places to get sex because you didn’t want to be seen and that sort of stuff. I had systems and people in place where I could talk about these things but I didn’t feel comfortable.”Davis, renowned as one of the fastest bowlers New Zealand has ever produced, but who struggled for control, played five Tests and 11 ODIs between 1994 and 1997. After being dropped by New Zealand for the last time in 1997 following a tour of Australia, Davis opted to move to Auckland.”All the stars aligned to move,” he said. “Everyone in Auckland knew I was gay; in the team it didn’t seem to be that big an issue. Maybe some of the young ones if you’re sharing a room with them or something, but just petty s**t. Things I thought might have been issues weren’t really. I just felt free.”Davis moved to Brisbane in 2004 and in 2009 had to have part of his foot amputated after a forklift truck accident.Overall, in his Test career, he took 17 wickets in five matches with a best of 5 for 63 against Sri Lanka and claimed 11 wickets in ODIs.Former England wicketkeeper Steven Davies became the first male international cricketer to publicly come out as gay in early 2011.

Prince William, the future King of England, has generated a "TV stampede" as broadcasters desperately try to snap him up as a pundit.

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Passionate Aston Villa supporterTalked football ahead of Champions League clashImpressed fans and broadcastersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The heir to the British throne, who is 42 years of age, impressed fans with his tactical acumen and knowledge of the game when featuring on TNT Sports ahead of his beloved Aston Villa’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

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A video of the Prince discussing football quickly racked up over a million views on social media, with TNT, the BBC, Amazon Prime and Sky Sports all reportedly keen to line William up for future television work.

DID YOU KNOW?

claims that Prince William is "100 per cent" up for doing more punditry work, if said opportunities can be worked into his busy royal schedule. Villa will see their Premier League meeting with Newcastle on April 19 screened live by Sky Sports, before gracing the BBC when facing Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals on April 26.

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WHAT A ROYAL SOURCE SAID

A royal source told : "Prince William absolutely loved the experience and would 100% be up for doing it again. He is a passionate football fan and has really enjoyed following Aston Villa's success this season.

"He's definitely hoping some of their good fortune rubs off on the England team for their remaining World Cup qualifiers. William believes the beautiful game has the power to bring communities together and is really pleased his appearance has had such a positive reaction."

Manchester City’s midfield is arguably becoming a bit of a problem. With Rodri’s injury, the options Pep Guardiola has in the pivot is a select few players, with some having to drop deeper to help get by in the Spaniard’s absence.

The likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes are the players who Guardiola has mainly had to rely on in the pivot. Although he has also experienced injury issues, Kevin De Bruyne has been played deeper at times, and Bernardo Silva is another player deployed in a deeper-lying role.

There is no doubt that City need to add to their depth in the middle of the park, and have been linked with a move for one new midfielder.

Man City's midfield target

The player in question here is Bayern Munich and Germany international midfielder Joshua Kimmich. The 29-year-old is out of contract at the Bundesliga giants in the summer, and it is not clear if he will sign a new deal.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

This could open the door for Man City. According to a report from Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany, there is believed to be ‘concrete interest’ in the experienced midfielder from the Citizens, who could try and tempt him to the Etihad Stadium.

However, they are not the only side interested in signing Kimmich upon the expiration of his contract. Fellow Premier League side Liverpool have been linked but are ‘not currently pursuing him actively’, and La Liga outfit Barcelona are also in the mix. It remains to be seen if he will leave the club or simply sign a new deal.

Why Kimmich would be a good signing for Man City

There is no doubt the quality that Kimmich has, and he could certainly improve the City midfield. Described as a “world-class” player by football statistician Statman Dave, the German has featured 28 times across all competitions this term for Bayern, with one goal and seven assists to his name.

His goal was some strike, a thumping long-range effort against RB Leipzig in a fantastic 5-1 victory for Bayern. He also grabbed an assist that day, and was the Bayern skipper, too. It was a brilliant day at the office for Kimmich.

The German could be an excellent replacement for Kovacic in the middle of the park for City. The Croatian star has been disappointing at times this season in Rodri’s absence, despite playing 24 times and scoring four goals.

One of the most frustrating performances from the former Chelsea star this season came in the Champions League in the 4-2 loss away to Paris Saint-Germain.

Kovacic received a dismal 4/10 rating from Simon Bajkowski, Manchester City writer for the Manchester Evening News. The journalist explained that “it felt like he was one touch away from disaster” on too many occasions.

Of course, for a club aiming to win the biggest trophies every season, that is far from ideal for the middle of their midfield. Thus, signing someone with the quality of Kimmich might be an ideal move for Guardiola. Indeed, the statistical comparison via FBref between the pair is quite stark.

The Bayern star is a passing master, and averages 11.2 progressive passes and 13.2 final third passes per game this season.

In comparison, Kovacic averages 6.32 progressive passes and 8.03 progressive passes each game. Kimmich is also brilliant off the ball, averaging 6.5 ball recoveries compared to the Croatian’s 4.47 each game.

Progressive passes

11.2

6.32

Passes into final third

13.2

8.03

Key passes

2.56

1.58

Shot-creating actions

4.89

3.10

Ball recoveries

6.50

4.47

There is no doubt that the iconic German would be a huge upgrade on Kovacic in the midfield for City. Not only would Guardiola’s side be adding a creative machine to his side, but someone who works hard off the ball and can also slot in at right-back.

If the CItizens can get the German on a free at the end of the season, it could be the dream move and the perfect long-term partner for Rodri.

Better than Luiz: Man City could sign a "world-class" £67m star instead

Manchester City could make an even better signing than Douglas Luiz.

ByConnor Holden Jan 23, 2025